Scholarship & Financial Aid Application

Note: Deadline for 2015 scholarship applications is Monday, March 23, 2015.

Background and Criteria

Throughout its history, SPAN has believed that research, study, and travel outside the United States are critical to a well-rounded education. Research and study abroad provide students with an international perspective and ideals that will make them global citizens. The SPAN experience is an academic investment that will pay dividends for a lifetime.

SPAN believes that students should not be prevented from participating for financial reasons. Therefore, SPAN offers to its participants several scholarships, made available through the generosity of SPAN alumni and friends. They are designed to supplement the student’sother financial resources.

The total amount of the SPAN scholarships varies each year based on funds availableand number of participating students. Each student’s scholarship is based on his/her financial need, the scholarship essay, and the student’s commitment to the program. Students may receive more than one SPAN scholarship.

Criteria vary somewhat among the scholarships (see below) but for all scholarships the following are considered:

  • The student’s representation of the spirit of SPAN in promoting international understanding.
  • Quality of the scholarship essay. Upon award of the scholarship, students will be required to thank the donor or donors.
  • Attendance at and participation in required meetings of the country study group and All-SPAN Days.
  • Participation in program support activities, including the Thank-a-Thon.
  • Student’s financial need, as evidenced by the Financial Aid Application.

The Ruth Elliff Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to every SPAN student, contains this additional requirement: if the student does not complete and submit his/her research paper the following spring, he/she must pay back this scholarship. Students will be required to sign an agreement to this effect when the Elliff Scholarship is awarded.

Scholarship Essay
Please submit a typed one page statement addressing the following:

  • Briefly describe your research topic, why you chose it, and the methods you will use in conducting your research.
  • Tell us how you think you can and will benefit from participating in the SPAN program.
  • Briefly, describe one accomplishment of which you are proud; then, tell us how you stayed motivated to achieve what you did.

Joann Buggey Scholarship – Preference for research in education or human development, or determination to experience study abroad and devotion to cross-cultural discovery.

Ruth Elliff Memorial Scholarship – Student’s participation in the SPAN program (meetings, banquet, program support, Thank-a-Thon. Scholarship must be returned if research paper is not turned in.

Anne E. Hammill Memorial Scholarship – Awarded to University of Minnesota students in the fields of applied economics or agriculture, or to those who demonstrate of the spirit and ideals of SPAN

Judee J. Kleffman Memorial Scholarship –Preference to students intending to travel to Africa or to an underdeveloped country

John D. Lindstrom Scholarship - Preference is given to students in the College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science, then to students in the College of Human Ecology, and finally, to any qualified SPAN student.

Janet and Dean Lund Scholarship – Awarded to students who display a strong engagement in the SPAN organization. It focuses on students with demonstrated financial need.

Kenneth Norquist Scholarship – Mr. Norquist was a participant in 1947, SPAN’s first year. He wishes to award it to students who value international education and tell how SPAN is likely to affect their academic and career goals.

Constance Parvey Memorial Scholarship – Preference is given to students’ whose work focuses on women’s studies or religion.

Kathryn Sederberg Memorial Scholarship – Preference given to a student who explains how he/she can act as a cultural ambassador.

Stavrou All-SPAN Scholarship – Awarded to a student who embody the ideals and spirit of SPAN and who exceed the expectations of the program.

Stavrou-Condon Scholarship – Awarded to students studying in Greece or Cyprus through the SPAN program.

Financial Aid Information

PERSONAL: This information is used only by SPAN, and only to determine scholarship recipeints.

Name

Address

Email Addresses (College and Personal)

Phone (Cell and landline)

College and Major

Anticipated Graduation Date/Status

Year and Country

Research Topic

  1. Please list in general the financial aid you are receiving for the current academic year (from your college, university, federal or state government, work study, or other non-SPAN related scholarships).
  1. Please list (again, in general) your outstanding education-related loans (federal, state government, including the Direct Federal Stafford/Ford Loan, the Direct Federal PLUS (parent) loan, the Federal Pell Grant, etc.)
  1. List and describe additional major financial obligations you currently face, such as outstanding tuition bills, living expenses, car payments, child support, etc.
  2. Please list the academic scholarships (or educational loans, if applicable) you have pursued to augment the scholarship(s) which you are eligible to receive from SPAN.
  1. If you are employed, name the company/organization, your occupation, and estimated monthly income.
  2. Are your parents/guardians providing financial support to you for educational expenses? Yes _____ No ______

Please list the name of a person or persons who will repay the Ruth Elliff Memorial Scholarship that each SPANner receives, in the event you do not complete your SPAN project and submit your SPAN paper.

(Name)

(Relationship)

  1. Will your parents declare you as a dependent for 2015 IRS purposes?

Yes ____ No _____

  1. What percent of your cost-of-living (including your educational expenses) do you assume?
  1. Lastly, please indicate special concerns you might have about your ability to pay for travel and research.

I acknowledge the above information is complete and accurate to the best of my ability; upon request, I am willing to provide additional information for the purpose of verification of my financial status.

Signature

Date